STROUD’S GB star Tom Mortimer is returning to run on home soil.

Winning his first GB cross-country vest, Mortimer,18, will run in Edinburgh on Saturday, the place of his birth.

The annual curtain-raiser to the athletics calendar features teams from Great Britain, Europe and the United States going head to head in senior and junior races.

“I am really looking forward to racing in Edinburgh as it is my birth city and we spent time there over the festive break,” said Mortimer.

“This will be a great opportunity for me to compete with the best European and American runners and see how I compare. I am also hoping to show some form after injury sidelined me for four months last year and to show the GB selectors and my competitors that I am back in top form and fully fit.”

Coached by Chris Brown, the former Marling student won his first Great Britain U20 vest in July as the only representative in the 5000m to qualify for the European Track and Field Championships in Italy.

Brown, who will watch his young star on Saturday, said: “I am really pleased for Tom that he has been selected for this event as he was born in Edinburgh and it will be a great day for him and his family.

“Tom will be very keen that the GB team are competitive, and being a courageous runner who is prepared at any point in the race to take the lead and make it a hard race if required will make Tom an asset to the GB team, add the additional motivation of this being in Edinburgh, I am sure he will find that little bit extra.”

Gabby Logan presents live coverage from the scenic surroundings of Holyrood Park and Mortimer will be in action from 1.15pm on BBC1. Steve Cram is joined by Paula Radcliffe in the commentary box.

Mortimer, who studies at Loughborough University, has also been selected in a team of four to represent England to race in the Seville International on January 21.